About EPC
Elevated Performance Concepts (EPC) was founded with a clear mission: to deliver high-quality firearms training to law enforcement professionals and responsible armed citizens. Our training is built on a foundation of performance shooting principles and is focused on developing skills that hold up under real-world stress.
At EPC, we don’t claim to offer THE way— With multiple different instructors per class, we offer a variety of ways to elevate your performance. Our approach is rooted in practical, tested techniques that enhance speed & accuracy with both your pistol & rifle. Whether you’re a patrol officer, SWAT Operator, detective, competitive shooter, or concealed carrier, our goal is to help you become faster, more efficient, and more confident with your weapon system.
We embrace a “never stop learning” mindset and instill that philosophy in every class we teach. All EPC instructors are full-time law enforcement officers with real-world experience. They actively train, teach, and compete in disciplines like USPSA, IDPA, and other performance-based shooting competitions to ensure their skills—and the instruction they provide—remain sharp, current, and effective.
Train with purpose. Perform with confidence. Training at the speed of real life.
Instructors John E., Erik T., John G., & Adam Y. at the Southwest Law Enforcement Handgun Classic.
Instructor Bios:
Erik T.
Erik is an active-duty law enforcement officer with 17 years of experience with a large Southern California sheriff’s department. Erik currently holds the rank of sergeant and has previously worked investigations, patrol and corrections. Erik was an investigator for seven years where he worked financial crimes, an Auto Theft Task Force and an intelligence unit. He worked five years in a plain clothes “UC” capacity and conducted covert surveillance, executed search warrants, and conducted numerous high risk vehicles stops and takedowns. Erik is a California POST certified firearms instructor, CA POST red dot instructor, AICC certified and a CA POST Use of Force instructor. Erik specializes in the 1911/2011 platform and has been shooting a 1911/2011 pistol since 2016. Erik is a factory certified Staccato armorer and has carried a Staccato on duty for 4 years.
Erik has trained with some of the industry's best firearms instructors over the last 17 years, including but not limited to; Mike Pannone, Steve Fisher, Ben Stoeger, Donovan Moore (Point 1 Tactics), Matt Pranka, Gateway Defense, Aaron Cowan, Chris Costa, Scott Jedlinski, Rob Leatham, Scotty Reitz (ITTS), Primal Response, Aaron Burruga, Sig Sauer Academy, Nick Young (Velox Training Group), Joel Park, Sentinel Defense, Gabe Rivera (Mindset Tactical Solutions), East Bay Firearms Training (EBFT) and Aj Zito (Practical Performance). Erik also shoots USPSA & IDPA matches when his busy schedule permits and currently holds an “A” classification in USPSA “limited optics” and “Expert” in IDPA “carry optics.” In August of 2025, Erik placed 31st out of 142 competitors overall and 9th out of 42 competitors in “SAO optics” at the Southwest Law Enforcement Handgun classic.
Erik is passionate about training and is constantly looking for ways to help his fellow LEOs better themselves not just on the range but on the streets where it matters.
John E.
John is an active-duty law enforcement officer at a California state agency with over 17 years of experience. John has been a California POST certified firearms instructor at his agency for over a decade. John is currently a Police Corporal assigned to patrol where he serves as an acting supervisor and watch commander. John has also served as a Detective, Rangemaster, Field Training Officer, Patrol Officer, Grenadier on the Special Response Team, and worked on a problem-oriented policing team. John has been presented three Riverside County Investigative Excellence awards, is a peer reviewed author in the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association’s ILEETA Journal, and is a California POST certified academy instructor.
As a firearms instructor, John is an NRA Handgun and Shotgun Instructor, Sig Sauer Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor, Sig Sauer Master Pistol Instructor, Sig Sauer Low Light Pistol Instructor, POST Patrol Rifle Instructor, POST Less Lethal Weapons Instructor, POST Active Shooter Response Instructor, Simunition FX Scenario Instructor, Glock Instructors Workshop, and Taser Instructor.
John has also trained with some of the best firearms trainers in the business including Vogel Dynamics, Ben Stoeger, CTT Solutions, Practical Performance, Nick Young (Velox Training Group, Joel Park, Hades Consulting, Sentinel Defense, Donovan Moore (Point 1 Tactics), and Modern Samurai Project. John has competed in USPSA, IDPA, and Steel Challenge and is currently ranked "B" class in USPSA. John shoots USPSA matches on a weekly basis and is currently working on training and improving his skills in these sports.
John is brothers-in-law to fallen Riverside Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio and was also partners with fallen Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain. Because of this, John takes firearms training very seriously and is dedicated to helping his brothers and sisters survive a deadly force encounter.
John possesses a Master of Science degree from the University of San Diego in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside.
John G.
John is an active duty law enforcement officer in southern California with 8 years of patrol experience. He currently holds the rank of Corporal and is assigned to his department's "FLEX" team. He is also an Assistant Team Leader (ATL) for his departments Special Response Team (SWAT). John is CA POST certified Firearms Instructor, a CA POST certified red dot instructor, and CA POST certified patrol rifle instructor for his department. John is a certified armorer for Staccato, Glock, Sig Sauer, and Smith and Wesson. John has been carrying a Staccato on duty for 3 years and has been using a pistol mounted optic for duty for 5 years. John assisted his department in the approval process for pistol mounted optics on duty and currently runs his departments pistol mounted optic transition program.
John has a passion for training and teaching and has trained with several instructors to include: Scott Jedlinski (Modern Samurai Project), AJ Zito (Practical Performance), Steve Fisher, Mike Levy, Nick Young, Joel Park and several Sig Sauer Academy instructors. In August of 2025, John placed 20th out of 142 competitors overall and 7th out of 42 competitors in “SAO optics” at the Southwest Law Enforcement Handgun classic
Adam Y. 
Adam is an active-duty law enforcement officer with a Southern California Agency for 5 years. Adam is currently assigned to patrol and is a POST certified pistol instructor. Adam was a part of his department's SWAT Team for approximately one and a half years.
Adam was trained on the 1911 platform and has carried a Staccato on duty for the past 4 years.
Adam has trained with various instructors such as: JJ Racaza, Bill Blowers, CTT Solutions, Sentinel Defense, AJ Zitto, First Defense, Raven Wing, and Manzano Tactical.
Adam continues to improve his shooting skills by attending training classes and participating in USPSA competitions.
Nate G.
Nate has been an active-duty law enforcement officer at a Southern California agency for 11 years. Nate is a POST certified pistol & rifle instructor as well as CATO (California Association of Tactical Officers) certified SWAT firearms instructor. Nate has been part of his regional SWAT team for 9 years where he is currently an assistant team leader.
Nate has been a firearms instructor for 8 years. Teaching at his department as well as on his SWAT team. In addition to firearms he has experience teaching chemical agents, tactics as well as being a field training officer. Currently, he is a Corporal assigned to investigations.
Nate is constantly continuing his shooting education through training classes and competing in USPSA. He is passionate about performance handgun and low light training.